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How Your Favorite Movies Reveal Your Leadership Style, with Bryan Coley, REEL Experiences

June 9, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

How Your Favorite Movies Reveal Your Leadership Style, with Bryan Coley, REEL Experiences

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How Your Favorite Movies Reveal Your Leadership Style, with Bryan Coley, REEL Experiences (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 877)

What if your favorite films could unlock insights about your leadership, communication style, and team dynamics? Bryan Coley, founder of Reel Experiences, joins North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to explore how the movies we love are mirrors of our personal stories and powerful tools for team connections. With a background in film and a heart for helping people feel seen, Bryan explains how he’s worked with organizations like Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz to build trust, emotional intelligence, and collaboration through curated movie experiences. He also shares how this innovative method has transformed everything from corporate cultures to personal relationships.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Movies as Personal Fingerprints – Your favorite films reveal your unique “story thumbprint” and core desires. No two people have identical top 10 movie lists among 6,000+ participants.

Accelerated Team Formation – Traditional team-building can take 6 months; movie-based approach achieves results in one session. Teams develop trust, vulnerability, and collaboration faster through shared movie experiences.

The Science Behind Movie Connection – Movies trigger empathy and human emotions in ways that prepare us for an AI-dominated future. Neuroscience supports the connection between storytelling, personal revelation, and team bonding.

Corporate Applications – Successfully implemented at major companies: Chick-fil-A (150+ sessions), Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Mercedes-Benz. These applications have proven to be particularly effective during organizational change, new leadership transitions, and post-layoff recovery periods. Helps executive teams articulate company brand stories and cultural values

Beyond Entertainment Value – Combines fun with deep insight, avoiding the typical choice between engagement and learning. Addresses symptoms like low engagement, team disconnection, and difficulty with change management. Works for both movie enthusiasts and non-movie people through guided app-based selection process.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
02:09 Introducing Bryan Coley and REEL Experiences
03:27 Bryan’s Journey: From NYU to REEL Experiences
09:09 The Power of Movies in Team Building
13:22 Movies as a Tool for Self-Discovery and Team Dynamics
18:43 The Future of Movies in a Digital Age
21:29 The Magic of Communal Movie Experiences
22:32 The Birth of REEL Experiences
24:48 How REEL Experiences Works
29:04 The Fun and Insight of Team Building
33:13 Success Stories and Impact
36:40 Expanding Beyond Corporate Teams
38:34 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Bryan Coley, Founder and CEO, REEL Experiences

Bryan Coley, REEL Experiences

A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Bryan Coley began his career at Turner Broadcasting, where he developed and launched the first media management system for the entertainment networks.

After 12 years at Turner, he quit and started Art Within, a non-profit arts and entertainment company, where he served as the producer and artistic director of Art Within’s resident theater company, the creative team and script development process, writer/producer showcases and symposiums, and Art Within Labs, a screenwriting fellowship. Bryan has also written and directed both plays as well as a feature film, Crackerjack, which was narrated and executive produced by Jeff Foxworthy.

The creation of REEL Experiences was a fortunate result of Bryan’s 30 years of experience in storytelling. Now, Bryan is sometimes referred to as the Movie Whisperer because of his unique ability to guide Reel participants in discovering their story through their top 10 movies. To date, REEL Experiences has served leaders and teams with over 500 experiences, with such organizations as Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Mercedes-Benz, the YMCA, CDC, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, CarMax, Georgia-Pacific, and over 145 experiences for the Chick-fil-A support center.

Bryan lives in Marietta, GA, with his wife of 30 years and has two wonderful works of art as children, Houston and Haviland.

Website | LinkedIn

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, host of *North Fulton Business Radio*, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes

June 3, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes

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The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes (The Exit Exchange, Episode 24)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray sits down with experts Steve Keck, President of Span the Chasm, and Maria Forbes, President and Founder of FIREPOWER Teams, to discuss the significance of human capital in planning for business exits. Steve and Maria, both members of XPX Atlanta, delve into how understanding and optimizing human capital can impact the exit process. They offer insights into how cultural data and human performance science are vital in preparing a business for sale, highlighting the importance of addressing owner dependency and role clarity within organizations. The discussion emphasizes the collaboration of financial and human capital assessments to enhance business value and address potential buyer needs, ultimately improving both financial outcomes and overall satisfaction with the exit process.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®. John Ray is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Maria Forbes, FIREPOWER Teams

Maria Forbes is the Founder and President of FIREPOWER Teams. Maria’s thirty-year consulting career serves privately held business owners in financial services and related fields across the U.S. Our mission is to integrate financial capital with human capital in planning for organizational growth and continuity. Maria’s work frames the long-term trajectory of business growth and succession through people-powered structures that enable an ongoing positive impact of talent through all business life cycles.

Maria and her teams provide expertise in expanding internal capacity through creative alignment of human values, making it possible for owners and key decision-makers to lead both their people and their businesses confidently toward the future. As a committed strategic partner to her clients, Maria makes visible the arrangement of human strengths as part of an innovative business strategy. This work optimizes organizational performance and builds transferable value as owners look toward a role transition and business succession.

Maria conducts a summer mentor program for college graduates and seasoned professionals who are navigating career transitions. The mentor process develops personal advantage in the career marketplace and fosters confidence in communicating the best roles for a successful new career.

Maria is a Kolbe Certified Consultant, Faculty member of The Life Transitions University™, mentor, and member of the Catholic Charities Atlanta Georgia Leadership Program.

Steve Keck, Span the Chasm

Steve Keck is the President of Span the Chasm, a company that uses a cultural data science methodology to integrate people data and data science for executive talent management, team alignment, and sales execution strategy development. Since December 2018, he has led efforts in team assessments, talent management, sales training, and executive coaching for high-growth companies. In addition to his role at Span the Chasm, Steve serves as Chief Revenue Officer at BoltCare, where he manages go-to-market strategy and sales initiatives.

He has also held leadership roles such as Chief Growth Officer at zPaper and Chief Navigation Officer at SRCC, focusing on aligning departments for growth and helping business owners implement ideas effectively. Earlier in his career, Steve was a Senior Training Architect at Payscape, designing sales training programs and managing learning systems. He has extensive experience in banking, having managed branches and business development at institutions like PNC, SunTrust Bank, and Atlantic States Bank.

A Georgia Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance, Steve is certified in BestWork Data Assessment and Salesforce, among other credentials. He combines expertise in sales strategy, talent optimization, and executive coaching to drive sustainable business growth and improve sales team performance.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview
02:00 Meet the Guests: Steve Keck and Maria Forbes
02:17 Understanding Human Capital in Exit Planning
04:35 Identifying Company Shortfalls and Owner Dependency
10:42 The Role of Data in Team Dynamics
18:10 Engagement Process and Strategic Goals
22:43 The Importance of Human Capital in Business Succession
23:58 Defining Culture, Management, and Environment
26:27 The Real Meaning of Alignment and Optimization
28:28 ROI and the Impact on Business Exits
33:30 The Role of Human Capital in Due Diligence
39:45 The Emotional Transition from Business Owner to CEO
41:48 The Value of Collaboration in XPX Atlanta
43:56 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles, and education to the heart of the middle market.

Their members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Their vision: to fundamentally change the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaboration-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community by following this link.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®, in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found by following this link.

John Ray is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

May 22, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

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Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 874)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Amy Comeau, consultant, speaker, and author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain. Amy shares the story behind her book, a leadership memoir drawn from her experience leading a healthcare marketing team through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She discusses the power of reflection, the importance of communication during uncertainty, and the lessons leaders can draw from moments of upheaval. Amy explains how leaders can stay focused on what truly matters, manage change in a way that builds trust, and maintain clarity even when nothing feels certain. The conversation touches on emotional resilience, practical leadership tools, and the difference between reacting and responding when everything is shifting.

This episode is a thoughtful resource for anyone navigating organizational change or seeking to lead with intention during uncertain times.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

Leadership Is Grounded in Presence: Amy’s practice of writing weekly emails created stability and connection for her team during crisis.
Focus on the “Squiggly Middle”: Great leaders direct energy toward what truly matters and what they can control—not the chaos around them.
Reflection Builds Clarity: Sharing real-time thoughts helped Amy process the moment and lead more effectively.
Change Is Constant: The lessons she shares apply beyond the pandemic and offer a framework for any chaotic or transitional season.
Simple Tools Have Power: Whiteboarding exercises and asking better questions are small actions that produce strategic clarity.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Amy Comeau
01:44 Amy’s Background and Book Overview
02:36 Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic
06:13 Managing Change and Team Dynamics
08:11 Balancing Control and Responsibility
18:20 Burnout and Personal Reflections
20:22 Recovering from Burnout
21:02 Burnout and Grief: Unexpected Similarities
22:19 Finding Joy in Dark Times
23:08 Recognizing Non-Clinical Healthcare Workers
26:07 The Importance of Every Role in Healthcare
29:50 Consulting Through Chaotic Change
32:53 The Therapeutic Power of Writing
35:02 Where to Find Amy’s Book
36:17 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Author, Consultant, and Speaker Amy Comeau

Amy Moudy Comeau, MBA, is an acclaimed and award-winning marketing executive with decades of experience leading marketing teams in health care, education and the arts.

A graduate of Northwestern University and Goizueta Business School at Emory University, Comeau is a respected thought leader in marketing, health care, and leadership.

She is the author of the award-winning book Every Storm Runs Out of Rain: Leading a Health Care Marketing Team Through a Global Pandemic, and she currently speaks and consults on marketing, communications, and leadership.

She resides in Conyers, Georgia, with her family and is a proud Buffalo native.

Website | LinkedIn

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

RESILIENCE RADIO: Ottawa University

November 28, 2017 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

RESILIENCE RADIO: Ottawa University

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RESILIENCE RADIO: OTTAWA UNIVERSITY

Building on its foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity.

From humble beginnings, Ottawa University (founded in 1865) has grown from a single building into a comprehensive educational institution serving about 5,000 students on eight campuses and online. Today, more than 22,000 OU graduates, including 5,000 in the Pacific Rim, have made and continue to make valuable contributions in their communities, corporations, and churches. Born of a special spirit, which permeates the University and its graduates to this day, Ottawa University is blessed by a rich heritage and an unquenchable commitment to educate increasing numbers of students for lifetimes of faith, service, leadership and significance.

www.ottawa.edu

Dr. Amy Hogan earned a BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Vocal Music and a MLA from Baker University. She earned her PhD with a specialization in Advanced Classroom Instruction from Capella University. Her research focused on the relationship between preservice teachers and mentor teachers. Dr. Hogan served on the KS Regulations Board for teacher education, workgroups for the KEEP and KPTP evaluation tools, KS Teacher of the Year selection committees, task-forces for the Military Childhood Coalition, as a reviewer for NCATE and CAEP, and chaired a committee charged with revising the KS elementary education teacher licensure standards.

Her background includes mission coordination in the Tennessee Cumberland region, classroom teaching in the Shawnee-Mission School District, grant writing, developing small business enterprises, supporting programing for military families and children, and consulting in technology education and teacher assessment. While teaching in Shawnee-Mission, she was awarded twice West Antioch Elementary teacher of the year. Dr. Hogan has presented at numerous regional and national educational conferences, including TECHLearning. She has administered several grants in technology and teacher education preparation. One of these grant projects regarding parent-community-school involvement is featured in the Harvard Family Research archives.

Prior to becoming the inaugural dean for the Surprise, Arizona campus as well as the Dean of Arizona, Dr. Hogan served as Dean for the School of Education.

Dr. Lily Davidov joined Ottawa University Department of Business in 2013 as adjunct faculty and in Summer 2017 merged into the Ottawa Surprise Campus as a Business Faculty and Adawe Mentor. Prior to that, Dr. Davidov was a full time Professor of Accounting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Campus.

Dr. Davidov completed her formal studies of the Doctor of Business of Administration and her dissertation was on Entrepreneurial Orientation as a strategic initiative of the firm.

Dr. Davidov comes from a long heritage of international entrepreneurs and is fluent in Russian. While her professional experience includes many years in retail business where she enjoyed running and operating businesses; teaching, mentoring, and coaching is her passion.

Area of research: Entrepreneurial Orientation, inner wisdom, advising and mentoring, and teaching iGENERATION.”

David Barnes is the Executive Director of University Advancement of Ottawa University Arizona, with emphases in external relations, resourcing, new markets, marketing, and spiritual life. David also is Professor of Education. David has more than 32 years of experience in higher education, business, and ministry leadership, including 24 years in not-for-profit organizations. Prior to coming home to Ottawa University, David served as Senior Vice President for Partnership Relations for Johnson-Huffman Fundraising Strategists, President of Grace University, Executive Vice President and Founding Dean of the School of Adult Learning at Arizona Christian University, and Associate Vice President for Adult Programs at Spalding University. Prior roles at Ottawa University included service as Dean of the School of Education, VP of Enrollment Management, VP of Adult & Professional Studies, and Provost.

ABOUT RESILIENCE RADIO

Resilience Radio was born out of Cynthia’s passion for our youth. In reading articles and research papers on what our youth are challenged with today, Cynthia became overwhelmed with frustration that more is not being done to come alongside this community of young people.

The majority of our youth have very little ‘hope’ for their future and lack the ‘resilience’ needed to set and achieve specific goals for their future. With articles like “Teen Suicide Continues to Rise Throughout Arizona” (Today’s News-Herald, January 9, 2017) stating that, “Healthcare officials across the state are trying to figure out what is behind the alarming increase in teen suicide, up 81 percent since 2009”, Cynthia knew that she needed to create a positive media platform to help encourage the next generation of leaders… and the good people who support them.

Resilience Radio features CEO’s and Community Leaders who are having a positive impact on Arizona’s youth and young adults.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

From youth programs to corporate groups, large government agencies to nonprofits, Cynthia Diehl has experience working with organizations and individuals of all shapes and sizes. Her approach gives clients a better understanding of who they are and how they can capitalize on their strengths — instead of focusing on their weaknesses.

Cynthia Diehl is the Founder and CEO of RISE Strengths – a company dedicated to helping their clients identify (and effectively execute) their talents and strengths, facilitating strong personal and professional success. With 14 years as a Marketing Consultant and with her experience as a certified Gallup StrengthsFinder Consultant, Cynthia developed a series of proprietary workshops and training sessions to help bring out the best in people and has been successfully leading, teaching, training, coaching and consulting ever since!

She is a true advocate for her clients, offering support, encouragement, confidence and a sense of direction. Clients and colleagues alike consider her a trusted advisor and mentor.

cynthia-d@risestrengths.com
(602) 777.1556